Schistocerca gregaria
(Desert locust)

Observations:

  • "The Gap", central Gilf Kebir, October 1998 (single non-swarming adult)
  • Jebel Arkenu (main wadi), October 2003 (numerous non-swarming adults)
  • Karkur Ibrahim (Jebel Uweinat), October 2003 (scattered non-swarming adults)
  • Karkur Talh (Jebel Uweinat), November 2003 (scattered non-swarming adults)
  • Libyan Desert (between Abu Mungar and Jebel Uweinat), November 2004 (abundant swarming adults)
  • Wadi Handal (Jebel Uweinat), October 2005 (single non-swarming adult)
  • Selima Oasis, March 2013 (scattered swarming mature adults)
  • Selima Sand Sheet (half-way between Jebel Uweinat and Laqiya Arbain), March 2013 (numerous swarming and non-swarming adults feeding on a solitary Capparis decidua shrub)

    Aside the single specimen noted in the Gilf Kebir, no desert locusts were observed throughout the Libyan Desert till the autumn of 2003, when scattered individual adults were seen at both Jebels Arkenu and Uweinat, but not in the Gilf Kebir or elsewhere. In October 2004 locusts were conspiciously absent, however only three weeks later, in November 2004 the whole area of the Libyan Desert between the Egyptian oases (starting from Abu Mungar) and Jebel Uweinat was densely filled with swarming adults. Driving along at a speed of about 80 kilometres per hour, a locust was noted every 30-60 seconds, translating into roughly a dozen individuals per square kilometre.

    Following the rains of September 2005 at Jebel Uweinat, a single adult specimen was noted among fresh vegetation in Wadi Handal in mid-october.

    In March 2013 both swarming and non-swarming adults were numerous in the South Libyan Desert at any point with vegetation, but none were observed at or in the vicinity of Jebel Uweinat.

       
    "The Gap", Gilf Kebir
    30th October, 1998
    (approx. 1pm)
    non-swarming adult

         		  Jebel Arkenu
    25th October, 2003
    (approx. 3pm)
    non-swarming adult

         		  Jebel Arkenu
    26th October, 2003
    (approx. 8am)
    non-swarming adult
       
    Karkur Talh
    28th November, 2004
    (approx. 4pm)
    swarming young adult

         		  South Uweinat
    (near "Man Rock")
    30th November, 2004
    (approx. 2pm)
    swarming young adult

         		  Wadi Handal
    27th October, 2005
    (approx. 4pm)
    non-swarming adult
    Emeri Highland
    21st November, 2010
    (approx. 9am)
    non-swarming adult
       
    Selima Oasis
    10th March, 2013
    (approx. 3pm)
    swarming mature adult

         		  Selima Sand Sheet
    20th March, 2013
    (approx. 3pm)
    non-swarming adult feeding on Capparis decidua

         		  Selima Sand Sheet
    20th March, 2013
    (approx. 3pm)
    Swarming mature adult feeding on Capparis decidua